title: Weight bearing and velocity in trans-tibial and trans-femoral amputees.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to review the clinical utility of static weight bearing (SWB) and maximal self-selected ambulatory velocity as objective quantifiable measures in an outpatient lower limb prosthetic clinic. Seventy-three (n = 73) consecutive trans-tibial (TTA) and trans-femoral amputees (TFA) attending an outpatient prosthetic clinic were studied. Prosthetic weight bearing was measured on a bathroom scale (mass in kg), normalised to body mass then expressed as a percentage and labelled static weight bearing (SWB). Maximum safe self-selected ambulatory velocity over a 10 metre level walkway (m/s) was measured with a stopwatch. The SWB mean for the TTA group was 94.93% range 77-100%) and 88.36% for the TFA group (range 43-100%). The mean ambulatory velocity was 1.70 m/s (range 0.07-5.75) for the TTA group and 0.78 m/s (range 0.10-1.54) for the TFA group. A statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05) was found between SWB and ambulatory velocity in trans-tibial and trans-femoral amputees in this study. A ceiling effect was noted in the trans-tibial group with 42% achieving 100% SWB through their prosthetic limb so it was concluded that ambulatory velocity was the more sensitive measure in established trans-tibial prosthetic limb users. SWB may be the more appropriate quantifiable measure for use in established trans-femoral prosthesis users. Prosthetic training programmes would benefit from the objective measurement of SWB. Once optimal SWB was achieved, ambulatory velocity would be the more sensitive measure of prosthetic use.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rehabilitation and Allied Health, Port Kembla Hospital, Warrawong, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Bashford
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D013977:Tibia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016138:Walking; D016474:Weight-Bearing